Job Discussion Forums

[dsherter]

I'm looking for anecdotal evidence (and additional information) regarding the securing a work visa as an unaffiliated teacher. I would much appreciate a private (or public) message from any one who's succeeded, or conversely found it impossible.


Thanks

[Mexicobound]

Here is info straight from the Tourist and Immigration website:


The FM3 Visa

An FM3 Visa allows you to remain in Mexico for up to one year at a time. At the end of each year, the FM3 Visa may be renewed (renewals should be requested 30 days before the expiration date of the visa). With an FM3 Visa, you may leave and enter Mexico freely, at any time, and you are allowed to work in Mexico. Getting an FM3 makes bringing your household items (including one car) into Mexico very easy.

Besides the list below, you need to submit a request letter ... but here in Manzanillo they give you a questionnaire that they then take the information from and complete the request letter for you. You just sign it!

You will need to submit the following:

*

Your passport and copies of every page.

*

Proof of income. This figure changes constantly. It is based on minimum wage (250 times the minimum wage in Mexico City) and fluctuates with the exchange rate. The current amount is $13,100.00 pesos per month (half that again for a married couple). This proof could be in the form of a bank statement showing your investments generate that amount or more, it could also be a letter from your consulate stating you receive social security, a pension, etc.

*

The monthly income requirements are possibly reduced by 50% if you own and reside in your Mexican home. If this is the case, be sure to include a notarized copy of either the deed (escritura) or trust.

*

All that is required is proof that the minimum income is deposited in any financial institution, anywhere with credibility, be it the US, Europe, or offshore institution. Even a stock brokerage account, showing the requisite income, has proved sufficient, both in obtaining an original FM-3, both within Mexico at the local immigration office and at an overseas Mexican Consulate.

*

If you are married and your spouse also wishes to apply for an FM-3, have your original marriage certificate authorized and translated at the Mexican Consulate nearest the place of marriage.

*

Proof of residence - Utility bills, rental contract, letter from the local municipio

*

A number of pictures to their specification

Once you have all of the above mentioned items, make three copies of each and submit your package to immigration.

Normally, immigration stamps the original documents plus two sets of the copies with the date it was received. They keep the originals and one set of copies, the second set is for your files. It is habit to make the third set of copies as things can sometimes get misplaced.

The administrative "Fee" is about $1400.00 Pesos for your first FM3 and $1200 following years.


Found here:
http://sparks-mexico.com/Assorted/Visas/visas.htm

[TheLongWayHome]

Things vary from place to place. Here's what you need in SLP:

A letter (in Spanish) stating exactly what you intend to do.

Some kind of proof you can do this - degrees, tefl certs etc - all translated by an official translator.

Passport - copies of every page.

Proof of address in Mexico.

The forms they give you.

FM3s have gone up to about $1800 recently.

The tax thing:

If you work for yourself, you need to pay taxes (you will need to prove you have paid taxes in order to renew the FM3). This involves going down to hacienda and going through another process to get your RFC (after you've got the FM3). You then need to get invoices made. After that you're ready to go but you will need an accountant to do your tax returns every month.

This kind of visa can also be used to work in universities and schools and is an advantage as they don't need to go through immigration in order to hire you. You can work in as many places as you want without having to change your FM3 every time you change jobs or start working in a new place. As long as someone pays your taxes and gives you the paystubs, you're ok. You can then use these instead of the above when it comes to renewal time.

[Samantha]

Mexicobound: This information does not answer the question correctly. There are MANY different kinds of FM3's. It's not a one-size-fits all. The OP asked about a work permission FM3, which is different from the information you have copied and pasted here. This information is only correct for those in Mexico who are receiving income from abroad, such as retirees on pensions. You cannot work in Mexico with the "Rentista" FM3 which is the one you described.

The type of work visa required to work independently has different requirements, both in the way of documents and cost. Each Immigration department has it's special quirks for an "FM3 Independiente" and you are wise to check directly with the location in which you land. The various types of FM3's are outlined on the INAM website. Here are a couple of links to look at from that website.

http://www.inm.gob.mx/EN/index.php?page/And_practice_my_profession
http://www.inami.gob.mx/EN/index.php?page/If_you_intend_to_engage

[notamiss]

See also these past threads, especially the first one:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=65374
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=62419
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=56802

[dsherter]

Thanks all for taking the time to reply. I did retrieve what appears to be the appropriate paperwork from immigration here at the d.f. (very friendly thus far - let' hope it bodes well) and then put it aside to ripen.

It's likely that I will have further questions as I inch through the process and am cheered to find that, as always, there are well seasoned "hands" to consult with where these prickly practical issues are concerned. Next: qualifications to run for office ?

Again, thanks.

[mdp19742004]

Is it possible to apply for a FM3 before arriving in Mexico so that you're ready to go in terms of looking for work?

[notamiss]

For all practical purposes, no.

The usual procedure is to arrive on a tourist visa (FMT), find a job, and then apply for an work permit-type FM3.

If it were possible to get an FM3 before getting a job, it couldn't be a work permit-type FM3 anyway, because that type has to be sponsored by the employer. (Unless it is an independent work permit-type, and all anecdotal evidence suggests that you can�t get one of those unless you�re in Mexico already.)

[Prof.Gringo]